Saturday Morning Beard Fact

By the 1960s, memories of the Second World War were finally diminishing. a new generation had been born and grown up with only their parents’ recollections of the conflict. There was an urge to move into a new era, to move away from the military conformity that had clung to so many who had lived through war. As the hippy culture spread, increasing numbers of young people started growing their hair long and allowing their body hair and facial hair to grow unchecked. This was anathema to many of those who had fought in the War and who considered long hair and beards a sign of degeneracy.

Moustaches, Whiskers & Beards by Lucinda Hawksley, National Portrait Gallery